Mashed potatoes are best made using Russet, Yukon Gold, Idaho, or similar potatoes. Waxy potatoes (such as red or new) turn gummy.
One pound equals about 2 medium-sized Russets or 3 to 5 medium-sized Yukon Golds.
Basic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Peel 2 lbs potatoes and cut in fourths, or in similar-sized chunks of your choice. Cover with cold salted water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15-20 minutes or until a fork goes through the potato pieces easily. Drain.
Put 4 Tbsp butter (1/2 stick) (or more) and 1/2 cup milk in the warm pan, then add potatoes back in. Mash with a potato masher or fork. You can also use an electric mixer if you want them super-smooth and fluffy. Add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Taste and add more s & p if you like.
Substitutions & Additions
Use olive oil instead of butter, or some of each.
Use part cream or half and half with the milk.
Use half milk and half buttermilk (1 cup milk soured with 1 Tbsp vinegar).
Use broth instead of milk.
Save the water the potatoes were cooked in, and use that instead of milk — add a bit more butter for richness.
Add: cheese (all kinds, such as cheddar, bleu, Monterey Jack, Swiss, smoked gouda, Asiago), cream cheese, flavored cream cheese (chive, vegetable, smoked salmon, jalapeño, garlic & herb), roasted garlic, garlic powder, caramelized onions, French onion dip or ranch dressing packet, chopped chives or green onions, compound butters (such as herbed brown butter) (link), pesto, fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, dill), tender sautéed greens (Swiss chard, collard greens, mustard greens), a few tablespoons of sour cream or mayonnaise, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, hot sauce, salsa, wasabi powder, horseradish, mustard, anchovies chopped fine, smoked salmon, cooked crab, cooked lobster, sautéed or roasted vegetables (mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, roasted tomatoes, beets), sun-dried tomatoes in oil.
Mash potatoes together with sweet potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower, or squash.
Make “loaded” mashed potatoes with sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, & crumbled bacon.
Top with bacon bits, crispy fried onions, crushed potato chips.
Croquettes
fried mashed potato balls with cheese and bacon, etc.
Casseroles
add pulled pork, beef, or chicken. Top with cheddar cheese, chives, sour cream, salsa if you like.
GRAVIES.